ATOT bicyclists: need ride recommendations

[glenn1]

My daughter is ready for her first bike and us parents will be getting ones also. Even though she's young she's also super tall so her first ride is going to be a 20" (with training wheels to start).

Looking for bicycle brand recommendations (whether preferred or avoid) and any features to definitely look for (pro or con). Would be strictly for recreation for the kids and wife, and I'll perhaps be riding to the metro stop approx. 2-3 km away in a lightly urban area. Don't foresee the need to go off pavement much, but don't want something that's completely unrideable if going over a small grassy spot or short dirt patch between asphalt. Would like to remain under US $1,000 for all 3 bikes if possibly but don't mind bumping that up if that's unrealistic.

TIA!

 

[Denly]

Can't help you kid bike but for you and you wife I strongly suggest you check out single speed free wheel. They ride a lot better than any gear bike within your budget and a lot less things to worry about.

I ride single speed to work 2-3 times a week during warmer months, 12km one way with a lot of climb never have issues.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Go to a bike store and check out Giant brand mountain bikes. Good quality bikes in your budget, they won't be fantastic bikes but better than department store garbage.

 

[Markbnj]

Honestly for our daughters we just picked up a succession of bikes from big box retailers until they were into their teens. I don't think we ever paid more than $125 for one.

 

[Uppsala9496]

bikesdirect.com may have some nice options for you and your wife. For your daughter, just go to Target or something and get a cheap one. That's what I did for mine.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Properly sized frames make a big difference. Go to a bike shop or do your homework first.

As for brands in your price range for three bikes it will probably be Schwin. Decent enough, especially for a kid who will grow out of it. If you want something nicer for you and your lady check out Trek or Giant hybrids. It will be a bit above your budget though.

 

[Fritzo]

Go to a bike store and check out Giant brand mountain bikes. Good quality bikes in your budget, they won't be fantastic bikes but better than department store garbage.

I've had a Giant hybrid bike for 6 years now, and it's great. Got it from Dick's Sporting Goods for about $400. It comes with all mid-level Shimano components, quick release wheels, puncture-proof tires, and had double welded seems. Pretty impressed for the price. If they have kids versions, I'd recommend the brand.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Where on the planet are you located?

No idea about kids' bikes, but you and your wife probably want something that would be classified as "hybrid" bikes. Hybrids typically have comfortable, upright riding positions, flat handlebars and wider, lower pressure tires for a more comfortable (albeit slower) ride. They can handle some dirt or gravel paths without much problem.

In the US some brands might be Diamondback, Trek or Specialized. Of those, I'd guess Diamondback may have the biggest selection in your price range.

http://www.diamondback.com/bikes-city

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/city/fitness/fx/

http://www.trekbicyclesuperstore.com/product/trek-7.0-fx-212807-1.htm

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/multi-use/crossroads

 

[GasX]

The best kids bike by a large margin is the Redline Pitboss. If it will fit your daughter buy one and don't look back.

If you want to know what riding your average kids bike is like, go find a bike that weighs half or more of your body weight and try pedaling that around. The Pitboss is the lightest kids bike available by a hefty margin.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Best advice I can give you is DO NOT use training wheels. They do the opposite of training, they make the kids rely on them and not learn the balance.

nothing like a broom stick int he back of the bike and letting them go/learn the proper way.

It's how my father taught me...it's how I taught my kids...and few neighborhood kids.

As for Bike, if she is young, she will be needing a bike every year....so just get her something dirt cheap (better yet, Craigslist/neighbor or hand me down).....When she is a teen, go with quality bike.

For you and your wife, head over to Dicks Sporting goods when they have a sale. We picked up 3 Diamondbacks about 5 years ago for about $199 each. They are decent quality for casual riders and 10x better than your typical Walmart.

If you are going to do anything more hard core like mountain biking, you are looking at $1000+ unless used.

 

[Captante]

Honestly for our daughters we just picked up a succession of bikes from big box retailers until they were into their teens. I don't think we ever paid more than $125 for one.

This is good advice ... don't spend much till they've mostly stopped growing height-wise.

 

[DrPizza]

Best advice I can give you is DO NOT use training wheels. They do the opposite of training, they make the kids rely on them and not learn the balance.

nothing like a broom stick int he back of the bike and letting them go/learn the proper way.

It's how my father taught me...it's how I taught my kids...and few neighborhood kids.

As for Bike, if she is young, she will be needing a bike every year....so just get her something dirt cheap (better yet, Craigslist/neighbor or hand me down).....When she is a teen, go with quality bike.

For you and your wife, head over to Dicks Sporting goods when they have a sale. We picked up 3 Diamondbacks about 5 years ago for about $199 each. They are decent quality for casual riders and 10x better than your typical Walmart.

If you are going to do anything more hard core like mountain biking, you are looking at $1000+ unless used.

http://thesquidtank.blogspot.com/2009/04/irony-of-training-wheels.html

Came in here to say the same thing; I can't find any fault with this post. Do not use training wheels.
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/...alance_bikes_teach_children_how_to_ride_.html

http://www.twowheelingtots.com/beyond-the-balance-five-reasons-why-balance-bikes-are-worth-the-hype/


(I'm not a proponent of balance bikes, but the articles say a lot about why you don't want training wheels - you learn everything backwards. To ride without training wheels, you have to do the opposite of what training wheels train you to do.

 

[Carson Dyle]

http://www.twowheelingtots.com/beyond-the-balance-five-reasons-why-balance-bikes-are-worth-the-hype/

Holy shit. The kid at 00:07 - 00:11 gets LAUNCHED!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTKFbuikkuk

 

[Ajay]

Big Box is fine for kids bikes as others have mentioned. Double check the assembly if you have some mechanical aptitude. I'm not a fan of training wheels - you child will fall, they might as well learn balance as fast as possible, IMHO.

Go to a local bike shop (Trek, Specialized and Giant are common brands here in the NE). Proper bike fit (as monkeydelmagico mentioned) makes all the difference in comfortable pain free rides. Go with a hybrid, as opposed to mountain bike, since you will be on pavement.

Helmets for everyone y'all get only one brain in life.

 

[Vdubchaos]

http://thesquidtank.blogspot.com/2009/04/irony-of-training-wheels.html

Came in here to say the same thing; I can't find any fault with this post. Do not use training wheels.
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/...alance_bikes_teach_children_how_to_ride_.html

http://www.twowheelingtots.com/beyond-the-balance-five-reasons-why-balance-bikes-are-worth-the-hype/


(I'm not a proponent of balance bikes, but the articles say a lot about why you don't want training wheels - you learn everything backwards. To ride without training wheels, you have to do the opposite of what training wheels train you to do.

Yep

I think the biggest problem that parents have is watching their kids get hurt.

Problem is, it's part of life. Accept it now, it's easier that way.

let them fail/get hurt. It's part of an important lesson that EVERY kid should learn EARLY on in life.

 

[Ns1]

another ciclist eh? here's my suggestion:

 

[glenn1]

another ciclist eh? here's my suggestion:

Meh, riding would be faster than walking to the Metro station on days where neither car is available and it would save me $100+ in parking fees a month. I'm not giving up my car, just supplementing it - the bike would be taking the place of the scooter I used to own that isn't really practical anymore given my current circumstances.

 

[Dirigible]

If you want to know what riding your average kids bike is like, go find a bike that weighs half or more of your body weight and try pedaling that around. The Pitboss is the lightest kids bike available by a hefty margin.

This is great advice for kids bikes. The cheap ones are horrendously heavy. Get a light one. Frame should be aluminum, not steel. Look for a used one to save money.

http://thesquidtank.blogspot.com/2009/04/irony-of-training-wheels.html

Came in here to say the same thing; I can't find any fault with this post. Do not use training wheels.
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/...alance_bikes_teach_children_how_to_ride_.html

http://www.twowheelingtots.com/beyond-the-balance-five-reasons-why-balance-bikes-are-worth-the-hype/


(I'm not a proponent of balance bikes, but the articles say a lot about why you don't want training wheels - you learn everything backwards. To ride without training wheels, you have to do the opposite of what training wheels train you to do.

I am a big proponent of balance bikes. They are great. My sons had balance bikes, and then I got them 12" bikes just after they each turned 3. They just got on and rode down the sidewalk with no problems and no training wheels. I have some friends whose kids were riding younger than mine were.



OP: Do try to avoid the training wheels. Get your daughter a bike at a size that lets her put her feet on the ground. Take the pedals off the bike. Have her use the bike as a balance bike until she gets the hang of it.

For you and your wife, it sounds like you're getting something to noodle around on a little bit, but riding far or fast aren't priorities. Get something used. You can get a decent bike for under $200 pretty easily. Make sure the bearings are all smooth, it shifts and brakes, and the gears aren't completely worn out so you don't have to immediately do maintenance. And if you're riding it to the Metro, you won't be too bummed if it's stolen.


And pretty much any decent bike can handle a little offroading. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhabgvIIXik

 

[thedarkwolf]

Check craigslist for the kid's bike. Kids out grow their bikes so quick it is pretty easy to find 20/24" bikes from the good brands trek, specilized, giant, whoever for peanuts on there.

 

[Bearmann]

FYI if your in the USA:

Save 5%-20% on select Schwinn bikes through 04/18/2015
Save 5%-30% on select Razor skates, scooters and gear through 04/18/2015

Got an email from them and thought I would share.

 

[glenn1]

Thanks for all the advice. Thinking about getting this Trek off Craigslist, listed for $100 so should be able to haggle it down a bit. Seems like low-end steel frame bikes are available all day long on CL for about half that but it seems like it might be worthwhile to spend a bit more since it's still within budget.

Also, checked in Costco today and they have a hybrid bikes for $199 each, anyone heard of these guys or used their products? Might find a better quality used bike on CL but being brand new and with Costco return policy I figure these might not be a terrible option.

https://www.infinitycycleworks.com/product/infinity-twentyfour-7-mens/

 

[Dirigible]

That Trek should be fine. I preferred my kids to have multiple gears and hand brakes in the 20" size, since I live where there is almost no flat ground. That may not be a factor for you. Trek makes good bikes, that frame is aluminum, and if it's flat where you live and the bike is sized right, it seems promising.


Regarding the Costco bike, I don't know much about them.

I'd rather buy a 10-year-old higher end bike for $200 than a brand new bike for $200. The materials and workmanship won't be as good on a brand new $200 bike. But I ride a hell of a lot and need something that will take a pounding and last.

If you're not riding much, modern inexpensive bikes surprise me with how functional they are, and may do the job. Plus, you'd avoid the hassle of searching for used bikes, educating yourself, and dealing with CL flakes. Costco return policy is a plus too.

So I'd say just decide what's important to you.

 

[FleshLight]

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2015/Bikes/road/race/F24-2.aspx

 

[Carson Dyle]

Not the best customer reviews on that Infinity bike from Costco.

http://reviews.costco.com/2070/1000...-bike-reviews/reviews.htm?sort=submissionTime

 

[highland145]

Started off with the Grands giving the kid 2nd hand used crap. Needles to say, he hated riding (trying to ride). After my dim bulb lit up, bought him a felt and it was a good day. But he's 14 now and really just doesn't want to ride. When the knees are holding up, I really enjoy it so I figured I've lost some time with him.

TLDR; Make sure the bike works.